Together they helped the Lions win the most games in 36 years and finish the
2006 season with a 14-14 record. As a team, Lincoln led the nation in strikeouts
per nine innings (9.1) and was second in stolen bases per game (4.36).

Sample was the Lions leader throughout the season. Sample compiled an 8-4 record
with a 3.16 earned run average. Sample also led the Lions with eight complete
games, four shutouts and 99 strikeouts, which helped him finish second nationally
in strikeouts per nine innings. Sample also tossed a no-hitter during a 4-0 victory
over Gallaudet on March 10.

Sample also became the first Lincoln baseball player to be honored with the distinguished
National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Player of the Week award
on April 7. Sample struck out 10 or more batters five times including a season-high
13 twice in wins against Lancaster Bible College and Gallaudet. Sample also finished
as the Lions’ second leading hitter (.387 average) and the team leader
in doubles with eight.

Graber was 3-4 with a 5.03 earned run average. He compiled 51 strikeouts. Graber
fanned 13 batters in his first start of the year in a 9-0 win over Saint Paul’s.
In his third start of the year, Graber registered a career best 14 strikeouts
in a 9-5 nine-inning triumph over Gallaudet. Graber’s best hitting game
was a 3-for-4 effort with three runs batted in during an 18-8 victory over Eastern.

Fisher was one of seven Lions to bat over .300 during the season. Fisher finished
the season with a .325 average and tied for the team lead in home runs with three.
In addition to going 17-for-17 in stolen bases, Fisher had seven multi-hit games.
Fisher made his final game of the regular season memorable by pacing the Lions
with three hits in the 13-0 victory. Fisher also contributed seven doubles and
a triple during the year.

Enjoying a solid freshman year, Kruemmer finished with a .321 batting average.
Kruemmer knocked in 21 runs and reached base in eight of Lincoln’s final
10 games. Kruemmer had a pair of three-hit games during the season. Kruemmer
was a consistent contributor for Lincoln batting out of the No. 2 hole.

Curtis, who batted a team high .415 with runners on base, paced Lincoln with
27 runs batted in. Curtis had his biggest blast during a 19-10 road defeat at
Washington College. With Lincoln trailing, 4-0, Curtis slugged a grand slam that
traveled over 400 feet and hit the roof of a residence hall beyond the left centerfield
fence. Curtis also drove in six runs during Lincoln’s final doubleheader
of the season against Christendom.

Ray Stokes of California State University, East Bay, and Devin Drag of Chapman
University, hauled in top honors on the 2006 All-Independent Baseball teams.
Baseball coaches at member institutions of the Association of Division III Independents
selected the players. Overall, 39 student-athletes were named to one of the three
all-Independent teams.

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 19 Division III independent
institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes at independent
institutions, and to provide exempted postseason championship competition in
seven sports in 2005-06. The Association recognizes outstanding athletic
achievements of its student-athletes on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. For
the first time, the Association provides statistical services for its members
in seven sports. In addition, it has announced all-Independent teams at
the conclusion of eight other sports this year.